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The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2006-10-28

The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2006-10-28 page 1

Celebrating 38 Years Of Service To The Community I:1 JReparter y|f Email: www.reporterl4@juno.com r 3^*^. Your Reporter Newspaper s primary mission is to... "Cover the News of Northeastern Ohio comprehensively, fairly, and accurately. " A Light In The Darkness vol. xxxvm, no. 2 October 28,2006 thru November 4,2006 SECTION A 25 Cents Per Copy INSIDE: Family Battles Father's Leukemia See Page A3 American Legion Celebrates Founder's Day See Page A7 Job Center Opens See Page A9 Black Professionals Of The Year See Page Bl-2 Parms Brothers Are Alpha Golf Champions See Page B6 Summit County Children Sendees Beard Approves 2007 Budoet Focus is on Maintaining Current Level of Services to Children October 24th, at the recommendation of the agency's Senior Leadership Team, the Summit County Children Services Board of Trustees approved a SS2.1 million operating budget for 2007. The budget passed by the Board reduces spending by $1.3 million from 2006 levelsreductions made necessary because of operational efficiencies and the property tax levy that provides the majority of the agency's funding is set to expire at the end of2007. While not yet Continued to Page A7 New Drug Said To Be Effective In Helping Blacks With Alzheimer's Disease By. Lorinda M. Bullock NNPA National Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) - When Jonathan Lackland's grandmother, Cora, forgot to turn off the lights or stove, the family just thought she was tired and missing her deceased husband Richard. But when those types of things happened more often and the woman known for being "meticulous" was now listless and easily agitated, the Lacklands knew it was more than grief. "In the beginning you blow it off, oh she just made a mistake," said Jonathan Lackland. "But we began to see changes in terms of how lethargic she had become... She'd get very frustrated if she couldn't make a point?meaning she would forget?and normally this was unlike her and that's when we began to realize something just isn't right," he said. And it was more than fatigue and loneliness that was changing Cora Lackland. It was Alzheimer's disease. The 87-year-old from Illinois represents a growing number of elderly African-Americans, who are statistically at the greatest risk to get the memory-erasing disease. But a study released this month in the Journal of the National Medical Association may bring hope to hundreds of thousands of African-American families like the Lacklands. The study, led by Dr. Patrick Griffith of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, revealed that a drug called donepezil? more commonly known as the brand name Aricept?is safe and effective for 80 percent of the African-American seniors with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. For the patients who took the drug during a 12-week period, memory, behavior and their ability to perform daily activities improved "significantly," the study found. According to Griffith, the study is the first of its kind to target a particular drug and its effect on African-American Alzheimer's patients. "This (African-Americans) is a group that typically doesn't like to participate in clinical trials and so it's quite a tour de force for us to get 126 patients enrolled with a completion rate of almost 80 percent. We're very happy," he said. Griffith's findings have come at a crucial time. Not only are African-Americans are a high-risk group for Alzheimer's disease, but the number of African-Americans over the age of 65 with the disease is expected to double by 2030 to 6.9 million. Alzheimer's can be hereditary, but it is only for 15 percent of African-Americans, Griffith said. "This risk is highest for African-American first degree relatives and for the oldest daughter of African-Americans with Alzheimer's disease. We haven't found in our database, a genetic marker the way they have in the major community," he said. According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are 4.5 million Americans living with the disease. As it progresses, individuals may experience a change in their personality, become easily agitated and even have hallucinations. In the late stages of the disease, the person needs help with basic daily activities such as eating, dressing and bathing. Lackland said after trying to care for his grandmother at home with an aunt in Chicago, it eventually became too difficult as Cora became more combative. The family then made the tough decision to admit her to a northern Illinois nursing home. Although, she's safe in the nursing home, Lackland said family members are still nervous about the potential for her to wander or agitate her heart problems. They often take turns visiting to keep an eye on her as well Continued to Page A4 Court Declares Sex Offender Residency Law Unconstitutional On Friday October 20th, the Second District Court of Appeals ruled that Ohio's sex offender residency law-which prohibits any and all sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of any school property-violates the state constitution. The case was argued by Stephen JohnsonGrove, staff attorney with the Cincinnati-based Ohio Justice & Policy Center. The defendant in that case was a 76-year-old man who pled guilty eight years ago to attempting to touch a 13-year-old girl, over the clothes, as she assisted him down from the bleachers during a basketball game. He had owned his home with his 92^year-old wife for 30 years. Specifically, the Court said that offenders, such as the man in this case, who both owned their homes and committed their sexual offenses before the effective date of the residency law (July 31, 2003) could not be thrown out of their homes. At issue was the state constitutional provision which prohibits retroactive application of laws that impair substantive rights. "There was no question-there could not be any question-that it is a substantive right to live in the home that you own," argued JohnsonGrove. "This man pled guilty and served his time. No one in our community would have been served by booting him out of his house. This law does not really increase community safety." The Second District Court of Appeals covers Montgomery, Miami, Darke, Champaign, Clark and Green Counties. The attorney for the prosecution on this case was James R. Dicks of the Miami County Prosecutor's Office. Also on Friday, the First District Court of Appeals, which covers only Hamilton County, handed down a decision going to opposite direction, ruling that the sex offender residency law does not violate the state constitution. "We will be asking the First District to reconsider as soon as possible," said David Singleton, executive director and attorney at law with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center. "It appears that the First District failed to determine whether or not it is a substantive right to live in a home you have owned for years. We are confident that once given an opportunity to re-focus on the real issue, the Court will understand that being able to live in the homestead where you have shared a marriage, raised your kids, and been a community member is undeniably a substantive right." ^ Rev. Jesse Jackson Responds To President Bush's Speech On The War In Iraq The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition issued the following statement regarding President Bush's speech on the War in Iraq. i "The President reviewed the miscalculations of his misguided Iraq policy. As the public outcry against the Iraq war rises, and has become the central point of these mid-term elections, Hush stubbornly clung to his "bring them on," "mission accomplished," "stay the course" position. And his "focus group, poll tested" spin offered nothing more than 1 I flexible inflexibility. He described a failed course in the Iraq war he launched. He offered false hope by talking about the failures, but not fundamentally changing direction. Mr. Bush's latest rendition of a "path to victory" is really just an admission of a well-traveled road of failed policies. And nowhere in his speech did the President deny his intention to establish permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. Mr. Bush should be learning that it is easier to get into a war of choice than to get out. He gave no indication that he had considered the consequences of his policy of invasion and occupation at gunpoint - this month's US death toll rising to record levels at 93 and over 3000 total, perhaps 1/2 million Iraqi deaths - without popular support. Such a course cannot work. Mr. Bush has not explained why he did not pursue Osama bin Laden, who attached the United States; and why he abandoned the war in Afghanistan and shifed focus to Iraq and Saddam Hussein, who did not attack the U.S. As a nation we have lost too many lives, too much money, and our national honor following the Bush administration's course of action. The Iraq is devastating our economy with a cost of $250 million/day, $6300.00 per second.This pre-election adjustment in his rhetoric must not distract us from making Bush and his allies in Congess take responsibility. Three things remain certain: 1) We are losing more lives and may call up even more troops; 2) we are wasting more money; and 3) we see no end in sight. With each day the current administration's policies continue to isolate us as an object of hatred and vilification. The U.S. presence in Iraq is a unifying force for the opposition, leaving us with too many adversaries and too few friends. Only the Bush Administration refuses to acknowledge the widening civil war in Iraq, making the U.S., the region and the world less safe, less secure, and less stable Those who seek to build a broader coalition bring justice and lasting peace must stay the course to vote for change on November 7th. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. EACH Praised For Service East Cleveland Mayor Erk Brewer praises the East Akron Community House (EACH) for 90 years of service. Citizens were encourged to demand information on taxpayer funded project that affect the Black community. "Don't be fooled by the soft issuses- it's all about money, jobs and infleunce." Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic and Edna Borders- EACH Board President welcomes Mayor Erk Brewer of East Cleveland to the EACH's Anniversary Luncheon at Tsngkrs Restaurant on Friday, October 20,2006. For story and more photos, see Page A3. Photos by Bill Ellis, Jr. t ' Zeta Theta Omega AKA's scholarship committee members are (L-R) Joyce F. Rowland - chapter president, Nora Sparks, Sylvia Brown, Atty. Belinda J. Hinton, Anita Maldonado - scholarship chairperson, and Dr. Patricia A. Lee. Not shown is Dr. Linda B. Walker. Photo by A.P. Bolden Studio Aka s Scholarship Presentation Planned Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Theta Omega Chapter, proudly announces the 2006 scholarship recipients. Joyce F. Rowland, chapter president, invites the community to join Alpha Kappa Alpha in saluting the accomplishments of the recipients.The scholars will be honored at "A Salute To Academic Excellence", on Sunday, November 12,2006, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Akron-Summit County Public Library Auditorium located at 60 S. High Street, in downtown Akron. A reception will follow the program. The event is free and open to the public. Kent State University scholars for the Mary Hogan Smith Scholarship are: Kimberly L. Eustache and Catrina E. Palmer. The University Of Akron scholars for the Edith Delaney Mitchell Scholarship are: Sharmayne Boiling, Anazette Hudson, and Erica L. Portis. The University Of Akron scholars for the Janet B. Purnell Project Self-Sufficiency Scholarship are: Erica M. Bronner, Annique Johnson and Vanessa M. Winborn. The University of Akron, Alpha Kappa Alpha-Delta Pi Chapter, Patricia A Dawson Lee Book Award recipients are: Sharmayne Boiling, Leah Komora, and April ParmsElloieThe Alpha Kappa Alpha/Akron Urban League scholar for the Jeanetta Welch Brown Scholarship is: Stephanie Claytor. Northeastern Ohio Universities College Of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Dr. Melvin E. and Leona W. Farris Scholarship will be presented with a financial award. Scholarship Chair Anita Maldonado, stated the committee was impressed with the caliber of applicants, and extends congratulations to all The program and reception are cochaired by Dionna LaGarde and Rashara Walker. Established in 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington DC, Alpha Kappa Alpha became America's first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women. With more than 170,000 members world wide, Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic achievement. Beta Beta chapter (now known as Zeta Theta Omega chapter) was founded in 1932. Locally, scholarships have been awarded since 1937. Students Invited To Workshop On Germany Coming Together Akron, a community-based organization promoting racial harmony and cultural diversity, invites schools and home-schoolers to participate in its Nov. 2 middle school workshop on Germany and the German culture. Students in 7th and 8th grades will meet in the community room of Bath Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn about the traditions, heritage and contributions of Germans. Lunch will be served. The workshop is free, but registration is required. To learn more about the work shop or to register, contact Donna Pulling at Coming Together, 330-379-3830. Deadline for registration is Tuesday, Oct. 31st. Coming Together Akron schedules approximately 30 events a year, including its annual Unity Walk. CTA's staff presents community programs promoting better understanding between cultures. Coming Together Akron is active with area youth and offers six free innovative workshops and dialogues for middle school and high school students. Founded in September 1993, Coming Together began as a year-long series on race relations published by the Akron Beacon Journal. Within two years, there were 200 member organizations participating, and in December 1995 the organization was chartered as a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. In honor of its 10th anniversary in 2003, Coming Together became a national umbrella organization that will oversee local chapters throughout the United States. The national is called Coming Together USA Ex-Offenders Find Employment With Oriana House Program "There is such a sense of pride that radiates when someone who is unemployed finds a job," said Joan Davidson, employment coordinator forOriana House, Inc. Davidson hopes that many more people will experience that feeling thanks to a new program Offered by Oriana House. The Moving Toward Employment Program is available to assist ex-offenders in finding a job. Participants must be ex-offenders who are at the 6th grade reading level; have a minor child in the household or have a shared legal parenting agreement; and be unemployed or at 200% of the federal poverty level. There is no cost to attend the program which is funded by the County of Summit Department of Job and Family Services. Clients will also participate in the ServSafe food safety training which is a food safety education and training program for the restaurant and food service industries. Upon completion of ServSafe, clients attend an employment readiness class, which has been designed to answer several questions: Who am I? What are my values, needs, skills? What jobs are available in the community? What jobs will there be in the future? How can we get training for these jobs? What is the work world like? How do people get and keep jobs? How do 1 get from here to there? What is my career plan are possible obstacles?"Clients will have continuous case management throughout the program They will also learn how to complete applications, develop a resume, and in-, terview in order to find a career in the food industry," said Davidson. "We have developed positive, working relationships with area employers in fields such as baking, food manufacturing, catering, etc.; and we will assist with job placement for. i successful graduates. Once they secure a job, we will assist them in keeping that job," added Davidson. Once clients obtain employment they will attend employment aftercare to address any work related issues that they may be experiencing. The entire program can last up to seven weeks. The program is open to Summit County residents. For more information, contact the employment department at Oriana House at (330) 535-8116, ext. 2072. ?1 Mayor Jay Williams Freedom Fund Speaker East Liverpool-Wellsville NAACP will host their Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 6:30 p.m at Adrian's Banquet Center, 48781 Calcutta-Smith Ferry Rd., E.Liverpool, Ohio. The keynote speaker will be the Honorable Jay Williams - Mayor, City of Youngstown, Ohio. For more information call (330)385-0275

Celebrating 38 Years Of Service To The Community I:1 JReparter y|f Email: www.reporterl4@juno.com r 3^*^. Your Reporter Newspaper s primary mission is to... "Cover the News of Northeastern Ohio comprehensively, fairly, and accurately. " A Light In The Darkness vol. xxxvm, no. 2 October 28,2006 thru November 4,2006 SECTION A 25 Cents Per Copy INSIDE: Family Battles Father's Leukemia See Page A3 American Legion Celebrates Founder's Day See Page A7 Job Center Opens See Page A9 Black Professionals Of The Year See Page Bl-2 Parms Brothers Are Alpha Golf Champions See Page B6 Summit County Children Sendees Beard Approves 2007 Budoet Focus is on Maintaining Current Level of Services to Children October 24th, at the recommendation of the agency's Senior Leadership Team, the Summit County Children Services Board of Trustees approved a SS2.1 million operating budget for 2007. The budget passed by the Board reduces spending by $1.3 million from 2006 levelsreductions made necessary because of operational efficiencies and the property tax levy that provides the majority of the agency's funding is set to expire at the end of2007. While not yet Continued to Page A7 New Drug Said To Be Effective In Helping Blacks With Alzheimer's Disease By. Lorinda M. Bullock NNPA National Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) - When Jonathan Lackland's grandmother, Cora, forgot to turn off the lights or stove, the family just thought she was tired and missing her deceased husband Richard. But when those types of things happened more often and the woman known for being "meticulous" was now listless and easily agitated, the Lacklands knew it was more than grief. "In the beginning you blow it off, oh she just made a mistake," said Jonathan Lackland. "But we began to see changes in terms of how lethargic she had become... She'd get very frustrated if she couldn't make a point?meaning she would forget?and normally this was unlike her and that's when we began to realize something just isn't right," he said. And it was more than fatigue and loneliness that was changing Cora Lackland. It was Alzheimer's disease. The 87-year-old from Illinois represents a growing number of elderly African-Americans, who are statistically at the greatest risk to get the memory-erasing disease. But a study released this month in the Journal of the National Medical Association may bring hope to hundreds of thousands of African-American families like the Lacklands. The study, led by Dr. Patrick Griffith of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, revealed that a drug called donepezil? more commonly known as the brand name Aricept?is safe and effective for 80 percent of the African-American seniors with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. For the patients who took the drug during a 12-week period, memory, behavior and their ability to perform daily activities improved "significantly," the study found. According to Griffith, the study is the first of its kind to target a particular drug and its effect on African-American Alzheimer's patients. "This (African-Americans) is a group that typically doesn't like to participate in clinical trials and so it's quite a tour de force for us to get 126 patients enrolled with a completion rate of almost 80 percent. We're very happy," he said. Griffith's findings have come at a crucial time. Not only are African-Americans are a high-risk group for Alzheimer's disease, but the number of African-Americans over the age of 65 with the disease is expected to double by 2030 to 6.9 million. Alzheimer's can be hereditary, but it is only for 15 percent of African-Americans, Griffith said. "This risk is highest for African-American first degree relatives and for the oldest daughter of African-Americans with Alzheimer's disease. We haven't found in our database, a genetic marker the way they have in the major community," he said. According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are 4.5 million Americans living with the disease. As it progresses, individuals may experience a change in their personality, become easily agitated and even have hallucinations. In the late stages of the disease, the person needs help with basic daily activities such as eating, dressing and bathing. Lackland said after trying to care for his grandmother at home with an aunt in Chicago, it eventually became too difficult as Cora became more combative. The family then made the tough decision to admit her to a northern Illinois nursing home. Although, she's safe in the nursing home, Lackland said family members are still nervous about the potential for her to wander or agitate her heart problems. They often take turns visiting to keep an eye on her as well Continued to Page A4 Court Declares Sex Offender Residency Law Unconstitutional On Friday October 20th, the Second District Court of Appeals ruled that Ohio's sex offender residency law-which prohibits any and all sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of any school property-violates the state constitution. The case was argued by Stephen JohnsonGrove, staff attorney with the Cincinnati-based Ohio Justice & Policy Center. The defendant in that case was a 76-year-old man who pled guilty eight years ago to attempting to touch a 13-year-old girl, over the clothes, as she assisted him down from the bleachers during a basketball game. He had owned his home with his 92^year-old wife for 30 years. Specifically, the Court said that offenders, such as the man in this case, who both owned their homes and committed their sexual offenses before the effective date of the residency law (July 31, 2003) could not be thrown out of their homes. At issue was the state constitutional provision which prohibits retroactive application of laws that impair substantive rights. "There was no question-there could not be any question-that it is a substantive right to live in the home that you own," argued JohnsonGrove. "This man pled guilty and served his time. No one in our community would have been served by booting him out of his house. This law does not really increase community safety." The Second District Court of Appeals covers Montgomery, Miami, Darke, Champaign, Clark and Green Counties. The attorney for the prosecution on this case was James R. Dicks of the Miami County Prosecutor's Office. Also on Friday, the First District Court of Appeals, which covers only Hamilton County, handed down a decision going to opposite direction, ruling that the sex offender residency law does not violate the state constitution. "We will be asking the First District to reconsider as soon as possible," said David Singleton, executive director and attorney at law with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center. "It appears that the First District failed to determine whether or not it is a substantive right to live in a home you have owned for years. We are confident that once given an opportunity to re-focus on the real issue, the Court will understand that being able to live in the homestead where you have shared a marriage, raised your kids, and been a community member is undeniably a substantive right." ^ Rev. Jesse Jackson Responds To President Bush's Speech On The War In Iraq The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition issued the following statement regarding President Bush's speech on the War in Iraq. i "The President reviewed the miscalculations of his misguided Iraq policy. As the public outcry against the Iraq war rises, and has become the central point of these mid-term elections, Hush stubbornly clung to his "bring them on," "mission accomplished," "stay the course" position. And his "focus group, poll tested" spin offered nothing more than 1 I flexible inflexibility. He described a failed course in the Iraq war he launched. He offered false hope by talking about the failures, but not fundamentally changing direction. Mr. Bush's latest rendition of a "path to victory" is really just an admission of a well-traveled road of failed policies. And nowhere in his speech did the President deny his intention to establish permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. Mr. Bush should be learning that it is easier to get into a war of choice than to get out. He gave no indication that he had considered the consequences of his policy of invasion and occupation at gunpoint - this month's US death toll rising to record levels at 93 and over 3000 total, perhaps 1/2 million Iraqi deaths - without popular support. Such a course cannot work. Mr. Bush has not explained why he did not pursue Osama bin Laden, who attached the United States; and why he abandoned the war in Afghanistan and shifed focus to Iraq and Saddam Hussein, who did not attack the U.S. As a nation we have lost too many lives, too much money, and our national honor following the Bush administration's course of action. The Iraq is devastating our economy with a cost of $250 million/day, $6300.00 per second.This pre-election adjustment in his rhetoric must not distract us from making Bush and his allies in Congess take responsibility. Three things remain certain: 1) We are losing more lives and may call up even more troops; 2) we are wasting more money; and 3) we see no end in sight. With each day the current administration's policies continue to isolate us as an object of hatred and vilification. The U.S. presence in Iraq is a unifying force for the opposition, leaving us with too many adversaries and too few friends. Only the Bush Administration refuses to acknowledge the widening civil war in Iraq, making the U.S., the region and the world less safe, less secure, and less stable Those who seek to build a broader coalition bring justice and lasting peace must stay the course to vote for change on November 7th. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. EACH Praised For Service East Cleveland Mayor Erk Brewer praises the East Akron Community House (EACH) for 90 years of service. Citizens were encourged to demand information on taxpayer funded project that affect the Black community. "Don't be fooled by the soft issuses- it's all about money, jobs and infleunce." Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic and Edna Borders- EACH Board President welcomes Mayor Erk Brewer of East Cleveland to the EACH's Anniversary Luncheon at Tsngkrs Restaurant on Friday, October 20,2006. For story and more photos, see Page A3. Photos by Bill Ellis, Jr. t ' Zeta Theta Omega AKA's scholarship committee members are (L-R) Joyce F. Rowland - chapter president, Nora Sparks, Sylvia Brown, Atty. Belinda J. Hinton, Anita Maldonado - scholarship chairperson, and Dr. Patricia A. Lee. Not shown is Dr. Linda B. Walker. Photo by A.P. Bolden Studio Aka s Scholarship Presentation Planned Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Theta Omega Chapter, proudly announces the 2006 scholarship recipients. Joyce F. Rowland, chapter president, invites the community to join Alpha Kappa Alpha in saluting the accomplishments of the recipients.The scholars will be honored at "A Salute To Academic Excellence", on Sunday, November 12,2006, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Akron-Summit County Public Library Auditorium located at 60 S. High Street, in downtown Akron. A reception will follow the program. The event is free and open to the public. Kent State University scholars for the Mary Hogan Smith Scholarship are: Kimberly L. Eustache and Catrina E. Palmer. The University Of Akron scholars for the Edith Delaney Mitchell Scholarship are: Sharmayne Boiling, Anazette Hudson, and Erica L. Portis. The University Of Akron scholars for the Janet B. Purnell Project Self-Sufficiency Scholarship are: Erica M. Bronner, Annique Johnson and Vanessa M. Winborn. The University of Akron, Alpha Kappa Alpha-Delta Pi Chapter, Patricia A Dawson Lee Book Award recipients are: Sharmayne Boiling, Leah Komora, and April ParmsElloieThe Alpha Kappa Alpha/Akron Urban League scholar for the Jeanetta Welch Brown Scholarship is: Stephanie Claytor. Northeastern Ohio Universities College Of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Dr. Melvin E. and Leona W. Farris Scholarship will be presented with a financial award. Scholarship Chair Anita Maldonado, stated the committee was impressed with the caliber of applicants, and extends congratulations to all The program and reception are cochaired by Dionna LaGarde and Rashara Walker. Established in 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington DC, Alpha Kappa Alpha became America's first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women. With more than 170,000 members world wide, Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic achievement. Beta Beta chapter (now known as Zeta Theta Omega chapter) was founded in 1932. Locally, scholarships have been awarded since 1937. Students Invited To Workshop On Germany Coming Together Akron, a community-based organization promoting racial harmony and cultural diversity, invites schools and home-schoolers to participate in its Nov. 2 middle school workshop on Germany and the German culture. Students in 7th and 8th grades will meet in the community room of Bath Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn about the traditions, heritage and contributions of Germans. Lunch will be served. The workshop is free, but registration is required. To learn more about the work shop or to register, contact Donna Pulling at Coming Together, 330-379-3830. Deadline for registration is Tuesday, Oct. 31st. Coming Together Akron schedules approximately 30 events a year, including its annual Unity Walk. CTA's staff presents community programs promoting better understanding between cultures. Coming Together Akron is active with area youth and offers six free innovative workshops and dialogues for middle school and high school students. Founded in September 1993, Coming Together began as a year-long series on race relations published by the Akron Beacon Journal. Within two years, there were 200 member organizations participating, and in December 1995 the organization was chartered as a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. In honor of its 10th anniversary in 2003, Coming Together became a national umbrella organization that will oversee local chapters throughout the United States. The national is called Coming Together USA Ex-Offenders Find Employment With Oriana House Program "There is such a sense of pride that radiates when someone who is unemployed finds a job," said Joan Davidson, employment coordinator forOriana House, Inc. Davidson hopes that many more people will experience that feeling thanks to a new program Offered by Oriana House. The Moving Toward Employment Program is available to assist ex-offenders in finding a job. Participants must be ex-offenders who are at the 6th grade reading level; have a minor child in the household or have a shared legal parenting agreement; and be unemployed or at 200% of the federal poverty level. There is no cost to attend the program which is funded by the County of Summit Department of Job and Family Services. Clients will also participate in the ServSafe food safety training which is a food safety education and training program for the restaurant and food service industries. Upon completion of ServSafe, clients attend an employment readiness class, which has been designed to answer several questions: Who am I? What are my values, needs, skills? What jobs are available in the community? What jobs will there be in the future? How can we get training for these jobs? What is the work world like? How do people get and keep jobs? How do 1 get from here to there? What is my career plan are possible obstacles?"Clients will have continuous case management throughout the program They will also learn how to complete applications, develop a resume, and in-, terview in order to find a career in the food industry," said Davidson. "We have developed positive, working relationships with area employers in fields such as baking, food manufacturing, catering, etc.; and we will assist with job placement for. i successful graduates. Once they secure a job, we will assist them in keeping that job," added Davidson. Once clients obtain employment they will attend employment aftercare to address any work related issues that they may be experiencing. The entire program can last up to seven weeks. The program is open to Summit County residents. For more information, contact the employment department at Oriana House at (330) 535-8116, ext. 2072. ?1 Mayor Jay Williams Freedom Fund Speaker East Liverpool-Wellsville NAACP will host their Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 6:30 p.m at Adrian's Banquet Center, 48781 Calcutta-Smith Ferry Rd., E.Liverpool, Ohio. The keynote speaker will be the Honorable Jay Williams - Mayor, City of Youngstown, Ohio. For more information call (330)385-0275